Addis Ababa is considered by many to be the social capital of Africa and it is no coincidence that this year’s ‘Africa Celebrates’ is to be held in the home town of the African Union. The African Celebrates Fashion Reception has been commemorating African traditions, art, culture and cuisine since 2013. African fashion has been on the rise over the last decade and it is only fair that the continent itself takes the initiative to bring together creatives from within to showcase their work to…
Headquarters of the African Union, situated in the heart of Addis Ababa and inaugurated in 2012, the AU Conference Centre comprises 8 conference halls fully equipped with all IT requirements. The Nelson Mandela conference hall that hosts the annual African Union Summit bringing together all African heads of state, has a maximum capacity of 2,500 and is equipped with simultaneous translation booths. The Centre also houses a large number of caucus rooms, briefing rooms, a multi-purpose reception room,…
On the 13th month of the Ethiopian calendar, the very last Saturday of the 2011 EC, it was a very gloomy weather. Yet, shops were open from early in the morning. The narrow streets of Shiro Meda, to a certain extent, resemble the bustling Medina of Marrakech. Usually, during holidays, Shiro Meda is full of people buzzing, women can be seen excited to get a new Habesha kemis (dress), getting measured, choosing designs or trying readymade dresses, picking up orders and discussing payment. Shockingly,…